Here are the resources you need for this Sunday. Please feel free to choose what is suitable for your congregation’s needs. You will notice that the orders of service are available in different formats: choose the “pdf” format if you want something that is ready to print and photocopy, the “doc” or “rtf” format if you wish to change the formatting yourself or the “ppt” format if you use PowerPoint.

Altar colour:Green

Bible readings:Note: There are two sets of first readings (with accompanying Psalms) given for the Sundays after Pentecost: (a) a semi-continuous set, and (b) a set related thematically to the gospels (as in the earlier form of the lectionary). It is intended that either one of these two sets be used throughout and that they not be mixed.FIRST READING (a) Exodus 17:1-7 God gives water from a rock
OR (b) Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32Individual responsibility for sin
PSALM (a)Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16OR (b) Psalm 25:1-9*For musical settings of these Psalms, please see the song suggestions below*
SECOND READINGPhilippians 2:1-13The humility and exaltation of Christ
GOSPELMatthew 21:23-32Which son obeyed his father?

Notes on the readings:EXODUS 17:1-7: God had shown his marvellous saving hand to the Israelites in their rescue at the Red Sea. He had also miraculously provided food daily with bread (manna) and quail. However, the pattern of grumbling, of unjust criticism of Moses and of God, together with the threat of rebellion, emerged again on this occasion when they reached a location without water. They did not stop even to think whether God was testing them. They rather put God to the test. God’s patience was abundantly demonstrated by his orders to Moses to strike the rock from which poured out water.

EZEKIEL 18:1-4,25-32: Jerusalem and Judah had experienced severe hardship through invasion, siege and exile. People became bitter. They tended to blame God for taking it out on them for their fathers’ sins. (‘The parents ate sour grapes, the childrens’ teeth were set on edge’.) What a dangerous sentiment! Individuals and the community could in this way duck their own responsibility. God directs Ezekiel here to make it clear that each person needs to repent of his/her own guilt. When that happens God forgives, regardless of guilt. Verses 30-32 issue one of the most powerful appeals in Scripture to turn from judgment, to be renewed in heart and spirit – and to live!

PHILIPPIANS 2:1-13: Christ Jesus laid aside his eternal right to equality with the Father to become a slave under the human lot of misery resulting from the fall into sin. He became obedient to the Father’s will even to bearing the punishment of death for the sins of all. Therefore, says St Paul, imitate the humility and service of Jesus in working the good pleasure of God through looking, not to your own interests, but the interests of others.

MATTHEW 21:23-32: The religious leaders from their stand-point of confirmed rejection here query Jesus’ authority to teach and work miracles. He answers their query and points to their hardheartedness through the story of the two sons. God will always turn from those who stubbornly shut him out of their lives, and will find others who can be constituted on a spiritual basis to produce fruits from their new life created in and through the Saviour.

Prayer of the Day (Collect): Choose one of the followingTraditional
O God, since without you
we are not able to please you:
Mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit
may in all things
direct and rule our hearts;
through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.Amen.

OR, modernised traditional
Lord,
without you we are not able to please you.
Direct our hearts
by the working of your mercy.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.Amen.

OR, alternative
(Let us pray to be faithful stewards of our possessions. [silence])
Loving Father,
you have so generously given us
all that we are
and all that we call our own.
Help us to serve you
by managing our possessions wisely,
so that they may not be a curse in our lives,
but an instrument for blessing.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.Amen.

OR, new
(Let us pray for humility. [silence])
Merciful God,
give us the same attitude as Jesus,
who emptied himself
and was obedient to you
all the way to his death on the cross.
Make us eager to put others before ourselves,
and their needs before our own.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.Amen.

ALLELUIA VERSE (after the second reading) (Phil 2:10,11 NRSV)Alleluia, alleluia.At the name of Jesus every knee should bend
and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Alleluia.

Prayer after the gospelThis is the gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.Thank you, Lord Jesus,
for coming and acting with the authority of God.
Help us truly to obey you.
Amen.

Offering Prayer:Thank you, Lord, for all you have given us,
especially the gift of your Son.
Help us to accept his authority,
trust in him, and obey him.
Teach us to live our lives in service to you.
Amen.

SEASONAL PREFACE
It is indeed right and good,
Lord God, holy Father,
that we should at all times and in all places
give thanks to you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(On this day)*
he overcame death by his resurrection
and opened up for us
the way to eternal life with you.
And so, with angels and archangels,
and with all the company of heaven,
we adore and praise your glorious name:

* The words ‘on this day’ are used only on Sundays.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
See the service order for a standard post-communion prayer. Alternatively, use the third prayer of the day (as listed above) at this point. It may be modified as follows.

Loving Father,
you have so generously given us
all that we are
and all that we call our own.
Above all else,
you have given us your Son,
whose body and blood
we have received in this sacrament.
Help us to serve you
by managing our possessions wisely,
so that they may not be a curse in our lives,
but an instrument for blessing.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.Amen.

BEFORE THE BLESSINGThe following verses (based on Phil 2:1,2 NRSV) may be said before the blessing.

If there is any encouragement in Christ,
any consolation from love,
any sharing in the Spirit,
any compassion and sympathy,let us be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

DISMISSAL
Go in peace as God’s children to do his will.
Thanks be to God. OR In the name of Christ. Amen.

First reading (b) : Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32
LHS302 Sinners, turn: why will you die?
319 Before Thee, God, who knowest all
364 A new heart, Lord* G4
AT331 Turn to me with all your heart
269 Create in us
354 Change my heart
357 Give us hearts to know you, Lord
TIS559 A new heart, Lord, create in me
577 Come let us to the Lord our God
712 Create in us a clean heart, O God

Second reading: Philippians 2:1-13
LHS62 My song is love unknown G5 (alt tune A8, G8)
67 And can it be, that I should gain (alt tune TIS 209)
90 Christ the Lord is risen again G8
159 O for a thousand tongues to sing* G5
166 All hail the power of Jesus’ name G8
169 The head that once was crowned with thorns G5
174 All praise to Thee, for Thou, O King divine G7
454 Ye servants of God, your master proclaim G6
782 At the name of Jesus G7
789 My Lord, you wore no royal crown G6
794 What wondrous love is this GS
AT26 He is Lord
50 I will sing
139 Christ humbled himself
145 What wondrous love is this
157 Jesus, name above all names
261 From heaven you came
363 Jesus is greater
370 You are glorious
554 Jesus, you’re the one671 Christ is Lord of all
TIS99 God, we praise you, God, we bless you
178 Praise the God who changes places
202 I know that my Redeemer
209 And can it be, that I should gain
210 O for a thousand tongues to sing
214 My heart is full of Christ, and longs
215 You servants of God
216 Rejoice, the Lord is King
224 All hail the power of Jesus’ name
225 My heart and voice I raise
231 At the name of Jesus
247 Let all be one in mind and heart
256 From heaven you came, helpless babe
305 Let earth and heaven combine
341 My song is love unknown
365 Christ the Lord is risen again
378 The head that once was crowned with thorns
422 Come, Holy Spirit, come
448 Blest are the pure in heart
609 May the mind of Christ my Saviour
622 Holy Father, God of might
721 He became poor
746 The heavens shall declare

PSALM 25TIS 14, O Lord, make me know your ways, is a version of Psalm 25:1,4-5,8-10,14.

Alternatively, the following paraphrase of Psalm 25:1-10 by David Schütz may be sung to the tune ‘Die Sach ist dein’, LH 228. If reproducing this version, please put ‘Words (c) David Schütz’ at the beginning or the end of the psalm.

To you, O Lord, I lift my soul.
My God, in you I trust;
Do not let me be put to shame;
don’t let my foes rejoice.
Do not let those who wait for you
be disappointed in their hope.
Let them be disappointed who
have openly rejected you.
Show me your ways,
O Lord, teach me your paths.

Teach me and lead me in your truth,
my Saviour and my God;
I wait for you the whole day long,
do not forget me, Lord.
Be mindful of your mercy, Lord,
and of your steadfast love of old.
Forget and wipe away my sins
according to your steadfast love.
Remember me,
Lord, for your goodness’ sake.

The Lord, my God, is good and just,
therefore he shows the way
to sinners who return to him
and those with humble hearts.
He shows the humble what is right,
and teaches them to know his will.
The paths of God are steadfast love
and faithfulness for those who keep
his covenant
and listen to his word.

OTHER HELPFUL WEBSITES FOR CHURCH MUSICWhile the LCA does not necessarily endorse the content of these websites, you may find them helpful in your worship planning.Small Church Music: You can download mp3 and midi files of popular hymn tunes from this site.Together to Celebrate: lectionary based song and hymn suggestions from a variety of sources.Singing from the Lectionary: has song and hymn suggestions based on the RCL from other hymnals.Song Select: you can search for more contemporary songs by theme. If your congregation has a paid subscription you can also download sheet music.Hymns Without Words: mp3 downloads of hymn tunes.Song and Hymn Index. Contains all the indexes of the LHS and AT books in one Excel file. Download the file (zip file) here.Metrical Psalms by Dale Schoening : Psalms set to well known hymn tunes.
Keyboard Accompaniments for Together in Song – CDs are available for purchase through ACR. CD 1 & 2 ; CD 3 & 4.